Goodness. I euthanized Arthur after struggling with the same problem for a while. His stone was in the bladder, however, and would work its way into settling into the bladder horn and preventing urination.

I could shift its position with massage, lots of fluids, and putting him on the washing machine in "spin" cycle in a container.

But after a while, it was obvious he was in terrible pain and I shouldn't keep up bugging him. We thought it was probably multiple stones, and my vet was really surprised upon necropsy to find only one:

He's gone. I haven't been home long. We stayed several hours past closing to work on him. I never recovered him from the operating table.

We found a huge abdominal mass we originally thought was the bladder. It was connected to the mesentery, GIT, and possibly urinary tract.

We couldn't get the possible urinary stone out of the urethra. We tried passing multiple catheters from the bladder to the prepucial oriface and the other way around. His urethra was probably ruptured in the process.

The vet and I didn't see how he could possibly recover well and be able to urinate or urinate without the pain he'd been having at least all day. Anti-inflammatories can only do so much.

I sent the urinary tract (from the bladder to the penis) and the mass out for histo. There are so many unanswered questions.

I miss my Rhetty boy. He turned into a great snuggle pig. He had been through so much and turned into the most social, endearing little thing. Such a chow hound, too. He was always looking for more treats and loved getting in the carrier to travel since it meant more VEGGIES!

I'm exhausted both mentally and physically. He was such a special boy. Thank you Leah and Sharon for sending him to me. He had some good months after that foot healed up. He would have doubtless been euthanized in the shelter in January if you hadn't pulled him.

His cagemate Ciel is alone (YET AGAIN). He's a 6 1/2 year old INTACT boar. If he gets another cagemate I guess it has to be a neutered boy unless I neuter him and throw him in with some girls. We'll see. :(

I'm so sorry you lost him. He was a special little guy. I'm so glad he found his way to you and your excellent care. You gave him a good life and love that he never knew before. Rest in peace little one.

Ah, I'm so very sorry he's gone. It's so hard, particularly when you've spent so much time nursing them - it's easy to become very attached in a short time.

I read back through the thread, and it does sound as if Rhett had a wonderful time with you after his horrendous start. How wonderful that he was able to spend his last months with a friend and in your very capable hands.

After following Rhett's early plight and the care that it took for him to come as far as he did and then the stone. You made him a happy, loved piglet. Goodbye little man. Mum hit it on the head. These little furballs are so loveable and when you spend so many hours with a sick one the attachment grows tremendously. I felt like such a failure after Rodney passed but we give them what we can with the knowledge that we have. You did a fantastic job.